Radiator Change - Toyota Yaris Forums

TMR3 · 06-21-2012, 10:05 PM

Hi there guys,
new on this site so bare with me.

I have a Yaris 06 model on just over 56000kms. it was a repairable write off - i did not know this when i bought the car a couple of months ago.

Like many others, ive also had the leakage on the passenger side carpet, but like many others also, ive cleaned all the pipes and filters said so by many of the forums.

I gave it to my mechanic where he thought it wasnt the aircon system, so he flushed the whole engine out but found nothing.

So then - i went to an airconditioner specialist and he found that my radiator was cracked and stopped working as a result of it leaking in the passenger side - he stated it was sticky also, being from the coolant.
- the car was a repairable write off - i did not know this until after i bought the car, i think the guy forgot to change the radiator, or didnt bother.

he had quoted me $1200-$1400AUD which i think is crazy.
Ive found a couple of people on ebay and sites that sell Yaris radiators, one being:
http://www.rtmspares.com/index.php/Y...ator+Automatic

^^ would you trust this site, or how much would you expect to spend on a radiator part, and how much would changing the radiator cost around?

TMR3

andulong · 06-21-2012, 10:11 PM

DIY? Just the cost of the radiator and new coolant.

CTScott · 06-21-2012, 10:42 PM

I don't think the radiator is what is leaking inside of the car. It is probably the heater core that is leaking, and that lives inside of the airbox, which means pulling the entire dash to get to it.

CoryM · 06-22-2012, 12:20 AM

We call those "heater cores" in North America ;) (they do "radiate" heat though).

I haven't done a Yaris yet, but quick look at labour guide says 5.7hrs + evac/recharge the A/C. So let's say 7hrs at $100/hr and it's not cheap. $1200 seems high though. Pulling a dash is not a fun job most times so shops sometimes quote higher. They may also need to bring in an A/C guy if they do not have the equipment (which adds cost).

Good luck.

TMR3 · 06-22-2012, 01:32 AM

All I do remember him doing is a pressure test on the coolant pipe - and he did state that it was at a really high pressure - often meaning that there is a problem with the radiator.
I really don't remember much of what he said - but he said it would be a 3 day job including the finding of the parts - this place specialises in airconditioning problem in cars so finding a person right for the job isn't a problem for them.
He did mention that they would also have to pull apart the whole dash.
If my mechanic does quote a price as high as $800, I'm just going to have to stop my heating until I do actually have the money to fix it...
So angry...
TMR3

CoryM · 06-22-2012, 12:11 PM

When doing a pressure test you are applying pressure to the cooling system. This helps show any leaks as it will make coolant come out faster where it is leaking. The heater core is not a complicated system. You are passing hot engine coolant through the core, then blowing air over the hot core. The air gets hot and then comes out the vents. If it is leaking you should be getting a "sweet" smell when blowing warm air, moisture on your windshield, and coolant on the floor.

I would be surprised if a heater core was damaged during a crash. It is pretty well protected in there, and if it were damaged you would expect the whole case it is in to be broken. That being said, strange things happen in crashes.

If you need to save some money, you may be able to bypass the heater core with a hose. No heat, but no leak either.

Hope this helps clear things up a little.
Cheers.

06-21-2012, 10:05 PM	#1
TMR3 Drives: Toyota Yaris YR 2006 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 4	Radiator Change Hi there guys, new on this site so bare with me. I have a Yaris 06 model on just over 56000kms. it was a repairable write off - i did not know this when i bought the car a couple of months ago. Like many others, ive also had the leakage on the passenger side carpet, but like many others also, ive cleaned all the pipes and filters said so by many of the forums. I gave it to my mechanic where he thought it wasnt the aircon system, so he flushed the whole engine out but found nothing. So then - i went to an airconditioner specialist and he found that my radiator was cracked and stopped working as a result of it leaking in the passenger side - he stated it was sticky also, being from the coolant. - the car was a repairable write off - i did not know this until after i bought the car, i think the guy forgot to change the radiator, or didnt bother. he had quoted me $1200-$1400AUD which i think is crazy. Ive found a couple of people on ebay and sites that sell Yaris radiators, one being: http://www.rtmspares.com/index.php/Y...ator+Automatic ^^ would you trust this site, or how much would you expect to spend on a radiator part, and how much would changing the radiator cost around? TMR3

06-21-2012, 10:42 PM	#3
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	I don't think the radiator is what is leaking inside of the car. It is probably the heater core that is leaking, and that lives inside of the airbox, which means pulling the entire dash to get to it. __________________

06-21-2012, 10:11 PM	#2
andulong Drives: 2008 Hatch Red Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 66	DIY? Just the cost of the radiator and new coolant.

06-22-2012, 12:20 AM	#4
CoryM Drives: 2009 5-door, 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: White Rock BC Posts: 687	We call those "heater cores" in North America ;) (they do "radiate" heat though). I haven't done a Yaris yet, but quick look at labour guide says 5.7hrs + evac/recharge the A/C. So let's say 7hrs at $100/hr and it's not cheap. $1200 seems high though. Pulling a dash is not a fun job most times so shops sometimes quote higher. They may also need to bring in an A/C guy if they do not have the equipment (which adds cost). Good luck.

06-22-2012, 01:32 AM	#5
TMR3 Drives: Toyota Yaris YR 2006 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 4	All I do remember him doing is a pressure test on the coolant pipe - and he did state that it was at a really high pressure - often meaning that there is a problem with the radiator. I really don't remember much of what he said - but he said it would be a 3 day job including the finding of the parts - this place specialises in airconditioning problem in cars so finding a person right for the job isn't a problem for them. He did mention that they would also have to pull apart the whole dash. If my mechanic does quote a price as high as $800, I'm just going to have to stop my heating until I do actually have the money to fix it... So angry... TMR3

06-22-2012, 12:11 PM	#6
CoryM Drives: 2009 5-door, 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: White Rock BC Posts: 687	When doing a pressure test you are applying pressure to the cooling system. This helps show any leaks as it will make coolant come out faster where it is leaking. The heater core is not a complicated system. You are passing hot engine coolant through the core, then blowing air over the hot core. The air gets hot and then comes out the vents. If it is leaking you should be getting a "sweet" smell when blowing warm air, moisture on your windshield, and coolant on the floor. I would be surprised if a heater core was damaged during a crash. It is pretty well protected in there, and if it were damaged you would expect the whole case it is in to be broken. That being said, strange things happen in crashes. If you need to save some money, you may be able to bypass the heater core with a hose. No heat, but no leak either. Hope this helps clear things up a little. Cheers.